Meanwhile, Hungary has moved forward with the Pannonia Program, a domestic alternative to Erasmus.Continue reading
The Minister for Culture and Innovation has written to the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament to “speak out” against the exclusion of Hungarian students from the Erasmus program.
Balázs Hankó said at a press conference on Monday that “it is time for the political groups in the European Parliament to show their colors,” and stop discrimination against Hungarian students, reports Hirado.hu.
He emphasized that
Brussels has unlawfully excluded Hungarian students from the Erasmus program and Hungarian researchers from the Horizon program for two years.
A year ago, the government sent its proposals for amendments during the negotiations, and just a month ago parliament adopted a law regulating conflicts of interest and the length of appointment to the boards of trustees.
“Now we have to take another step forward, it is time for the political groups in the European Parliament to show their colors,” underlined the minister. He added that he sent a letter to the leaders of the EP political groups, including Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party, “whose opinion on Hungarians we all know well.”
According to Hankó,
it is time for the EP parties to explain what they mean by non-discrimination when they “deprive Hungarian students of their rightful rights” to participate in the Erasmus program.
They also want to clarify the issue of autonomy. By autonomy, he said, Brussels meant that Hungarian rectors and professors should be excluded from the boards of trustees, and that international NGOs should be allowed to nominate board members.
The politician pointed out that Brussels’ move excluded not only Hungarian students from the Erasmus program, but also foreign students studying in Hungary.
To counter the exclusion, the Hungarian government launched the Pannonia program. This initiative has already enabled 700 students to return from foreign universities, with 800 currently studying abroad at top institutions.
In its first semester, the program aims to support 3,000 students, offering opportunities to both Hungarian and international students in line with Hungary’s commitment to academic autonomy.
Minister Hankó emphasized Hungary’s efforts to safeguard its students’ interests. In addition to legislative measures, six Hungarian universities have filed lawsuits against the European Commission over their exclusion. He criticized the EP for intervening in these cases on the Commission’s side, calling for an explanation of its legal grounds to act in what he described as a discriminatory manner.
Photo: Facebook/Erasmus+
“The Hungarian government has done and continues to do everything necessary to protect Hungarian interests,” he declared. He reiterated the need for fair treatment and greater transparency from the EP, urging an end to measures that undermine the opportunities and autonomy of Hungarian academic institutions and their students.
Via hirado.hu; Featured image via Facebook/Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem